In Brief, It’s A Massive Weekend For Arsenal
Mar 18th, 2016 by 'holic
Roughly 63 hours after we departed the Champions League in the Camp Nou we step out at Goodison Park for the first of nine remaining Premier League fixtures that may have some significance in Arsenal’s rich history. We are in playing in the north-west at lunchtime on a Saturday. When has that ever gone badly? What? Oh.
The press have now started to look behind Arsenal for the threats to our habitual top four finish. The team themselves hopefully are still contemplating closing the gap on those ahead of them. Six points behind Tottenham with a game in hand is not insurmountable. A further five points to Leicester does appear to be what I believe would be described in modern business parlance as a ‘stretch target’, but one to which we should aspire until mathematically impossible.
The team news, notwithstanding we don’t know who has or hasn’t fully recovered from their exertions on Wednesday, is that Mathieu Flamini has joined the once-more crowded Shenley infirmary. From the starting eleven at Barca there may will be changes made necessary by the efforts made by many that night. In truth though the options are not many.
Per Mertesacker might be considered for a recall at the back, but Francis Coquelin and Mohamed Elneny have no competition for their pairing in front of the defence. Theo Walcott and Joel Campbell should be fresh, but will the benefit of youth and being in good form save Alex Iwobi’s place? Alexis may be considered for a rest perhaps. Then there is the decision whether to start a fresher Olivier Giroud over Danny Welbeck, who gave our attack a different dimension in the week.
Arsene has to find the right blend and knows if he doesn’t what the reaction will be from a press and fanbase that is slowly but surely becoming more vocal in their questioning of his future. From somewhere we have to find a performance that was hinted at in the week. If we can play for 90 minutes as we did the first 75 in Catalonia then that should be good enough to secure the lift to confidence and morale so lacking since before the turn of the year.
As for Everton, who have enjoyed a full week of recovery since knocking Chelsea out of the FA Cup last weekend, they are missing Kevin Mirallas and Gareth Barry through suspension. Romelu Lukaku is the obvious threat as his brace in that match took him to 25 goals for the season so far. Next is in-form 22 year old England midfielder Ross Barkley with 12. Many envious glances cast in their direction suggest Everton will do well to hang on to both, but the recent takeover led by former Gunners investor, Farad Moshiri, has given the Toffees greater financial stability for the foreseeable future.
The ‘holic pound
How many times have I said ‘this match could be anything’. Never was it more applicable. The bookies cannot split them and price both to win at 6/4 and upwards. The draw is available at 5/2 but if that is your view then look at the individual prices on 1-1 (favourite at a best of 13/2) and 2-2 (12/1). Of course I have to believe that the players will respond to a manager who needs more from them than they have produced, for whatever reason, in recent months. Regular reader and friend, Bergkamp the Man, will have confidently predicted I am on 1-2 to the Arsenal, which can be found at 10/1.
For those hardy souls still recovering from a drenching and alcohol poisoning in the week, and who are venturing north-west at a silly hour of the morning, I salute, respect, and applaud you. I hope the boys put on a much-needed show for you.
Have a great one, ‘holics.
109 Responses to “In Brief, It’s A Massive Weekend For Arsenal”
Another massive one?
Drink.
Lots of it required.
And all before 1pm.
Dirty job, but plenty applications received…..
You are the perfect leader of such a project, z 🙂
a right rousing and well writ post as ever ‘H – there’s a drink for yer (it can’t be a double nor a treble, neither) in the last, last chance saloon. UTA!
Project drouth…..
(You Southerners may need to check the Urban Dictionary for that one….) 🙂
Ah, 1-2, I can sleep soundly in anticipation of a good old-fashioned 0-1 to The Arsenal.
You’ve set it up very nicely, Holic.
succinct (a pint or two despite the drouth?) and to the point, and finely phrased – as per – the original Dr. F.
Onward and – most likely – up shit creek, till the maths says it ain’t so!
Three points. However. TINA.
Now or never (…till next season anyway)!
😀
So, here we are again. Same dilemma. Which Arsenal team will turn up at Goodson Park tomorrow? Who knows? It’s one of the mysteries of the modern world.
Another must win. Good preview H but I hope we are more productive in the first 75 mins tomorrow than we were on Wednesday. From memory we had only had one shot on target by then. That of course will be what most regulars are used to these days.
The one big plus is that Everton have been as inconsistent as we have. All we do know is that Zico is on the sauce and we should all be proud of him for that.
No predictions. I really have no idea what way this one will go. Just got everything crossed.
Nice preview Guvna. Come o Atrsenal, raise your game and raise our spirits.
As Steve T omitted to add, it’s the hope that kills you!
COYGs
Come ON Arsenal! was the exhortation before the fat fingers hit the wrong keys!
On the sauce as well Bath???
Well done sir.
Time to redeem the investment of the travelling gooners, not to mention the keyboard gooners? COYG
http://www.lasportsanostra.com/arsenal-wenger-kroenke-arsene-epl-premier-league/
An interesting read.
Oskar (the dog) met his maker on Friday, put down after a heart attack following another bout of Pancreatitis. He’s been instructed to bring luck to the team from on high, although it may take a while to settle into his new duties so no blame please if it doesn’t go terribly well at Everton (as I fear).
Chris (the real me)
Oh Chris, that is such sad news. So sorry to read that. My thoughts are with you.
A very interesting read Steve. I think the fella has actually nailed our problem rather well. Always a couple of players short of the team we need, eh?
Kroenke is not even ‘a Lerner’ in that at least Lerner invested in Villa initially, allowed O’Neill to build a decent team and gave them a few seasons as a real challenger until he got cold feet about how much it was costing and pulled the plug.
My fear, given Stan’s truly appalling record of mediocrity as an owner of sporting enterprises in the USA, is that when his non-confrontational, fiscally responsible, wizard manager Arsene Wenger does depart, he cannot live with a demanding manager, chooses a yes man and leads the Arsenal in the direction that Villa are taking this season.
People can say we are a bigger club than Villa and it will never happen but the status of a club can deteriorate rapidly (we are now widely seen as a club that cannot sustain a challenge and cannot hold on to its top players if someone else fancies them) and a series of penny-pinching strategic decisions can send a club in the wrong direction.
I think Mr Hill Wood’s gut instinct was pretty damn good. I suspect they’ve ended up selling the club to a wrong ‘un.
So sorry to hear that Chris. Mitzi the Mini Schnauzer sends her condolences and sorrow for your loss. Every dog owner in the bar will understand and share your feelings. RIP Oskar the Dog. A true legend.
Thanks ‘holic. It wasn’t really unexpected, just very sad cos he was such a special fella.
Thanks bath and Mitzi.
Photo of Oskar, taken for his 2015 Christmas card … https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1089491181084239&set=pb.100000701012434.-2207520000.1458345807.&type=3&theater
The problem is the Jekyll and hide of Arsenal will continue to bewilder fans. Asuming they win at Everton,not a given,the gap will be 8 points.
If Leicester were to lose at CP,not improbable,things could get interesting.CP have been losing games and I expect the law of averages to get it right.
If not it will be another disappointing season and the fm shd fade away like old soldiers.
Sad news Chris.
I had to put me last pup down and it was just heartbreaking. I feel for you, sir.
The problem with wanting the foxes to lose is it increases the chances of the spuds winning the title, and that is unthinkable. Leicester have to keep winning until the LWCs are out of the reckoning. THEN they have to fall in a heap and let us through on the rail for a miracle Arsenal title. Unfortunately that’s about as likely now as England winning that T20 last night! I fear we’ve blown it in recent weeks. What, we won last night??
Chris, so sorry to hear about Oskar.
I’m with Chris on Leicester. I don’t see them not winning the title, and if they don’t it probably means the Spuds won. And that is not acceptable.
Holic
Well set-up preview. You do it so well.
I think we will finish the season really strongly. 2-0 tomorrow to us.
Steve T
I’ve written something for the next Gooner along very similar lines. I’m very anti- Kroenke and believe he is happy for Wenger to take the heat. He’s a mediocre owner turning us into a team in his own image. I’ve felt that for ages and nothing recently has changed that
Chris
So sorry about Oskar. You have my heartfelt sympathy
Cheers Holic.
Everton suffer from an appalling league home record which hopefully we will extend by one match. They have some dangerous attacking players but are surprisingly vulnerable at the back. It’s about time we took advantage of such generosity….if only! Providing the team don’t run out of steam following our Barca exertions, a much needed 3 pts are on offer.
Chris, condolences on the loss of Oskar. Hopefully a win against the toffees will raise your spirits.
Sorry to hear about your loss Oskar.
TTG: From the previous bar, I understood what you were saying regarding the fact that, if City should miraculously win the Champions’ League and finish 5th in the league, while we finish 4th, then we would be out. My point wasn’t directly related to your post, but to someone else who posted earlier, that they hope City would win the Champions’ League, so that the Premier League’s coefficient ratings would improve and allow England to maintain the 4 spots.
As it relates to tomorrow, I hope we turn up with a good performance and a victory, as these days, I don’t recognize this Arsenal at all. COYG!
Nice one ‘h and we are indeed hitting the eleventh hour wrt winning the league title.
I actually expect a manly performance tomorrow which should be enough to get the three points at 6/4 for me too. I’m excepting OG and Campbell to start up front, with the BFG at the back, as the Toffees will concede possession in order to exploit for infamous Achilles heal of the quick counter attack.
Sorry to hear about your pancreatitis Chris (aka OTD). Take it easy and don’t irritate that bastardly dual hormonal gland.
Interesting read Steve T. If what’s written is true, Kroenke has actually bitten off more than he can chew by buying AFC and it’ll be Arsene Wenger that first takes the fall then him next if things go all tits up. He’d better wake up now and smell the English footballing coffee.
Up the Arse! COYBG!
Chris (Oskar)
Very sorry to hear about your dog.
Thats always a terrible thing.
Dont normally agree with your viewpoint, but wouldn’t wish the demise of a much loved and faithful companion on any man.
Quadruple of your choice on the bar mate…..
Thanks everyone for your sympathies, they are much appreciated. Dogs just don’t live long enough … another shortcoming in His grand design, like eyes that don’t focus and teeth which fail to make it through teens without massive restorative investments. Or even contemplating allowing the spuds to finish above us. 🙁
Spuds shall not finish above us. My condolences on your loss @oskar ..love dogs I do 🙁 ….
Cheers H!
Very sad to read of The Real Oskar the Dog’s demise.
Chris. My deepest sympathies. As Bath said, there won’t be a single dog owner amongst us who does not feel your pain. Keep smiling and remember all of the good times. Drinks all round and a toast to Oskar.
Bath. You know my views. For many years now I have not trusted Stan or the board. Their sole motivation is money. Nothing else. Arsene’s skill actually adds to the problem because whilst he has been able to almost guarantee top four on a meagre budget, the money just keeps rolling in. The fact that he sits back on his ranch and watches others take all of the flack I would suggest tells you all you need to know about the man.
Chris
My thoughts are with you as I have had few dogs down the years I know exactly how you feel. God bless you, dogs certainly don’t live long enough but they are best man’s friend.
A drink of your choice in on the bar!
Still think Chris should be Oskar.
Sorry to hear the news.
Sad news Chris, sorry to hear about Oskar. I am more into cats, but me and my wife love and feed every animal we find around us.
i believe in dog… go on Oskar! UredZ (or yellows, or whatever colour that other kit is).
So sorry Chris to hear of the very sad loss of Oscar. I lost my last Cocker Spaniel almost exactly 3 years ago, they leave an enormous gap in our lives. Being in my 70s I decided I was too old to take on another pet so I transferred my affections to Hector instead, it hasn’t been so rewarding as my years with “Kuri”.
We need to show a bit of spunk today, the travelling Gooners deserve better. I like Elneny and Iwobi lots and expect both to play. It’s our expensive “stars” who need to raise their game, they have been wanting of late. You wonder whether they really want to play for the shirt?
I agree with everything that has been said about Stan, Arsene’s loyalty is Stan’s trump card. I am hoping for the best at Goodison and 0-1 to the Arsenal will do fine. I expect it to be another difficult watch, I’m on the Albarino.
COYRs
Best Wishes Chris. Oskar was clearly an inspiration, as my dogs have been to me. All the best to you.
Sorry Chris, but Oskar’s pic got held in the spam filter for some reason. I have released it. What great memories you will always have of him. Having seen it there is only one thing to say about him.
DAWG!
C@16: Very sad to hear your news. Heartfelt condolences. RIP the real Otd.
So, unchanged from Barca. I hope they are all recovered.
Oh dear. Bit of a sterile team in my opinion.
Iwobi, Coquelin and Elneny in the midfield. Let’s see how sterile they are, or aren’t.
But I did expect to see Giroud, Campbell and Mertesacker. Predictable though how the manager always chooses what I don’t.
SteveT@15. Thanks for the link. If you were to boil down to 2,500 words everything ever said in this bar on the subject of Kroenke, AW and Arsenal you’d pretty much end up with that article.
Starting XI: Ospina, Bellerin, Koscielny, Gabriel, Monreal, Coquelin, Elneny, Iwobi, Ozil, Alexis, Welbeck
Starting XI: Ospina, Bellerin, Koscielny, Gabriel, Monreal, Coquelin, Elneny, Iwobi, Ozil, Alexis, Welbeck
Bench: Macey, Gibbs, Mertesacker, Chambers, Campbell, Walcott, Giroud
It’s a mobile team with a greater potential to keep possession than some of our other options. The chips are really down this time. We need the ball and the decisions to roll our way.
COYGs
Arsenal.com says Everton will be fielding a player named BeÅ¡iÄ in their starting eleven. Could be Besic?
It is suicidal to start with virtually the same team which played Barca. We will be running on fumes from the off. Hope I am proved wrong.
Coq for Flam. Forgot he had played the first half an hour. 🙂
With performances of late hard to pick a definitive first X1. Give these boys a try and whenever someone runs out of steam, the bench is ( by our standards ) not too shabby.
COYRRR
Cheers, Holic.
Bit of a rush here – very scant back drink but did notice Oskar’s passing.
Very sad to hear it, Chris. As an owner of several dogs going back to my teens, I do know what incredible friends they become.
Steve T – interesting link. Dovetails very nicely with my own conclusions about our ‘owner’.
Guns outwards for today though.
COYG !!! 2-1 to the Arsenal Brand will do me nicely.
Go for it!
COYGs
Sad news, Chris. Dogs are like family, hope you’re bearing up OK.
Come on you bloody Arsenal! ???
Come Onnnnnnnnnnnnnn!
Welbeck!!!! Come on.
Ggggggggggeeeeettttt innnnnnnnn brilliant goal come on!
Wheeee… we do miss you Welbeck!
GET IN!!!
Oh Danny Boy…what a good goal 🙂
Yes yes yes Danny
Thought Bellerin got the ball….
COME ONNNNNNNNNNN!
Stop passing it around the box and take a shot….
COME ONNNNN!
Iwobi baby
Iwobi!!!! First goal well taken.
Get in Iwobi ……
Great run what a pass from Hector
Right through the five hole
Holic pound is on!
YEAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
IWOBIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!
GET INNNNNNNNNNNN!
What a find is Iwobi, his first touch and ease on the ball are truly what marks him to be a good player.
Pleasantly surprised by this so far. I know it’s only Everton, but we actually look like we know what we’re doing AND where the goal is, for once.
Impressive.
So far.
OH ALEX IWOBI
OH ALEX IWOBI
Thunder my crossbar, young man.
Great first half performance has to be said boys are finding the net again why is it always so late that we start scoring
Oh Danny Boy you were the spark. 😀
Cynic
It’s not just Everton is it? They did manage to beat Chelsea week ago, we are playing really well that is the only difference
I’m just hoping we have energy in the tank to last the whole game because we press them really high up the pitch
I know the Holic pound s on. But I wouldn’t mind few more going in for us for extra confidence so badly need
That’s more like it, attacking football with two lovely goals. The whole side really up for it, best football we’ve played in weeks. Keep it going Arsenal we are not home and dry yet!
COYRs
The team look nicely balanced…best half for quite a while. We look comfortable so far but need to be careful if Martinez gets his tactics sorted and puts Delafou on to run at us…often causes problems.
@ATG
I noticed that too.. we seem to be tiring a bit.. especially Alexis.. but he’s still running and chasing down balls.. hope he can last the match.
But at least we are using the width of the pitch this time… not just trying to go through the middle. We seem to be winning that midfield battle too.
If this is the response after Barca.. maybe we should play them everyweek… hang on…
😀
I guess Giroud and Walcott would have scored four or more against this Everton, but we will have to be satisfied with those two, from the sterile Welbeck and Iwoby.
Finally some both pacey and physically strong side. How much of and upgrade Elneny and Welbeck are to Ramsey and Giroud. Difference in class for sure.
Keep it up boys, strong first half indeed.
Chris, condolences about Oskar. thanks for sharing him with us! I expect you are managing, but here’s a glenfarclas 105 on the bar for you.
I do like me some iwobi.
Come on ref blant foul on Bellerin
Oh no….
This does not look good…
Take Ospina off….
come on…
🙁
Very lenient ref…
fuck clattenberg.
Total BS that was a good goal
Jagjielka dived.. Hahahahahah
Clattenburg = C….
..and Alexis sat!
😀 😀 😀
We were pretty good but Everton was a dead team today
GET IN!
nice. should have been more, but I will take it. congrats to iwobi on his first goal!
We seem to want it more today and not surprising we are ahead. Clattenburg is known to have ‘helped’ Spuds by awarding them penalties, so what do you expect from him.
We played great today and thoroughly deserved to win. Keep it up boys.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Do hope that Ozil is not injured badly.. we’ll need him for the remaining games.
😀
Great win and great performance.
How many Elneny’s were out there on the pitcht? I count at least four in attack, middle, on the flanks and defense. He was everywhere ffs, what a massive, massive upgrade from Ramsey.
And my next shirt will have Iwoby name on it. He is gonna be an Arsenal great, player for the coming decade.
Well done lads you made me proud!
Second half not to my liking but hey, we held up well considering Clattenberg was totally against us. But we didn’t need his assistance so fuck him.
Come on Arsenal! Win the next game!
Well, wasn’t that the much hoped-for confident performance, especially in the first half! Second half appeared more fatigue-related post Barcelona. Everton well and truly humbled at home but must say that Everton where poor because Lukaku was kept quiet by Kos and Gabriel – our Centre-back pairing were superb! Could this be the bastardly mean, quick and strong central defensive partnership we’ve been crying out for?! I f**king hope so.
The beautiful game may be back with the Gunners and now to kick-it-on to pick up all of the remaining points till the season’s end!
As I said some months back; Iwobi is a “Worldly” in the making and the modern game needs a strong and mobile striker just like Welbeck who was equally impressive!
Now to cheer on Palace and Bournmouth. Up the Arse!
Come On You Beautiful Gunners!
Great result, great performance, utterly shit ref.
Keep playing this line up, please. We finally have some balance – the two deep midfielders allow the full backs forward and Iwobi’s movement means we have a bit more creativity in the front three.
Play up, Palace and Bournemouth.
COYG
May I refer drinkers to my post at 28 yesterday.
I really fancy us to finish this season really strongly. We did much better at Barcelona than we were given credit for . The inclusion of Elneny, Iwobi and Welbeck has transformed the side. Ramsey will find it very hard to get back in. Apart from the fact that there always looks to be an own goal in Gabriel ( a slice over the goalie’s head ) I thought we looked very secure and while I think Leicester are home and hosed I think we will finish second well above the tiny Totts who will go into free fall.
Given that we played on Wednesday against Barcelona away that was a phenomenal result. Wenger can still motivate this team and see a way forward . I hope he sticks it to the interviewers if they refer to that fucking banner